Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-05-27
CHRISiIRS NEW DRESS.

yfteuU vi JUL no'hO ""~ "'~
and knew that, like myself, they
had known better days. Some
where in California there was an
Uncle Charles, Mrs. Burgess broth
or, who would keep them, they were
sure, had he known their circum-
stances, bat whose address they
could not tell, and who knew moth
ing OF their having left their former
handsome home.
Some OF Mrs. Burgess former
friends had visited her and one OF
them, Mrs. Wharton had sent
Christie an invitation to a party
at her house. AS soon as it was
positively decided that she could
not 20, because q new evening dress
could not be thought of, l resolved
upon the awful extravaganza Of
presenting the pretty girl with a
dress.
II was worth ii all to see Chris
tie when 1 called her TO my room
on the afternoon Of the eventful
day and introduced her to the fnery
spread out upon my bed.
al have some jewels here, Chris
tie, am going to lend you for this
evening"" said L.
"Oh, how pretty and how odd|
she cried. "Were they made TO
order, Miss janet"
'YesI They were a gift TO ne
seven years ago, when was your
age, Christie"
She looked at me wisttully when
we we're alone, her soft-brown eyes
questioning my face; but she asked
no questions and went down to her
mother, softly and thoughtfully.
Seven years before that night l
had been left an orphan, hopeless
and heart broken.
had no mother to share the
grief, no sister or brother to Tighten
it. Twas all alone. ] was not a
strosg.minded girl to face the
trouble, and so l shut myself up
alone until the funeral, refusing to
see even Charlie. Then l ran away
ct night. l had one friend in Cleve-
land 10 whom / dared confde all,
and / went to her. l wrote to
Charlie and told him. / should new
or AJAX him to fulfill his VOWS to me
and babe him farewell.
For days after Iarrived at Cleve-
land was utterly Frustrated but
10y friend was kind, as / knew she
would be, aud when ! was able to
think aided me in all my plains. /
] had brought nothing from home
bat the one mourning suit had
worn TO the funeral and Charles
carbuncles.
Mrs Munroe had been an old
friend Of my mothers, and had Wis
tied us more than once, always
urging me to return the visits,
but, unable to win my fathers con-
sent to part with me for so long a
journey, for 1t was a three days
railway ride from my old home
AS soon ss / was able to undertake
teaching, Mrs. Monroe exerted her
self to procure me scholars, and |
soon had class that paid me an
income sufficient tor my modest
wants.
For six years l had home in
my friends house, she alone know
ing that MISS Jane Gray was the
missing Ella Thorne advertised by
her relatives, more TO save their
own reputation than from any in
terest in her tate. made, no doubt
q nine days wonder in A, and
then 10y uncles, sunts and cousins
probably forgot my existence
Charlie, perhaps, was one of those
seeking me, but l was resolved
never 70 share my fortunes with
his.
When the death Of my friend and
benefactress was added to my list
Of sorrows, / was known enough in
Cleveland to retain my scholars,
and found q new home with Mrs.
Burgess.
/ was still sitting with locked
door, brooding over the past, aud
unconscious that Christie bad been
gone three hours, when Mrs. Bur-
CESS came to my room, demanding
adnlttance in an excited voice. /
opened the door at once.
'Oh, Miss jane Miss Jane I" she
cried, "Charles has come! Charles
has come and he wants to see
youw
"Wants TO see me ~
"Oh, yesl It's the strsngest thing
altogether He has been here more
than an hour he met Christie at
the party; and, only think, be has
been home over three months, part
OF the time in A - and part here,
trying all the time TO find US, so 1t
was no wonder Christie's name
struck him at once at the party
He talked to her a little while and
then came to me. But | am talk.
ing on, aud forgetting that we are
keeping bin waiting. Will you
come down p
"But what can he possibly want
of'me !"
ITO thank you, guess, for send